La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Dec 2013
Malpractice claims related to musculoskeletal imaging. Incidence and anatomical location of lesions.
Failure to detect lesions of the musculoskeletal system is a frequent cause of malpractice claims against radiologists. ⋯ Incorrect interpretation of bone pathology is among the most common causes of litigation against radiologists; alone, it accounts for 36.4% of all malpractice claims filed during the observation period. Awareness of this risk should encourage extreme caution and diligence.
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La Radiologia medica · Oct 2013
Predictive factors of diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration for solid noncalcified, subsolid and mixed pulmonary nodules.
The aim of this study was to analyse factors predicting the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration (TTFNA) for solid noncalcified, subsolid and mixed pulmonary nodules, with particular attention to those responsible for false negative results with a view to suggesting a method for their correction. ⋯ The positive predictive factors of CT-guided TTFNA are related to the nodule size, density and distance from the pleural plane. The most common negative predictive factor of CT-guided TTFNA is the wrong position of the needle tip, as observed in the sagittal and axial oblique sections of the MPR reconstructions. The diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided TTFNA can therefore be improved by using the MPR technique to plan the needle path during the FNA procedure.
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This study evaluated the impact and value of bedside chest X-ray in intensive care units. ⋯ Chest X-rays performed at the bedside are the most widely used imaging method in the follow-up of critically ill patients. DE is approximately 84.5%. Radiologists should maintain familiarity with the interpretation of this examination.
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La Radiologia medica · Jun 2013
Placement of port-a-cath through the right internal jugular vein under ultrasound guidance.
This study was undertaken to demonstrate the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided placement of porta-cath (PC) through the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) by evaluating the onset of early and late complications. ⋯ This procedure incurs very small number of complications compared with other positioning techniques using accesses such as the subclavian vein. Complications recorded in our study are comparable, in type and incidence, to those found by other authors, with the most frequent being device infection.
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La Radiologia medica · Apr 2013
Malpractice claims in interventional radiology: frequency, characteristics and protective measures.
The use of interventional radiology procedures has considerably increased in recent years, as has the number of related medicolegal litigations. This study aimed to highlight the problems underlying malpractice claims in interventional radiology and to assess the importance of the informed consent process. ⋯ Litigation prevention largely depends on both reducing the rate of medical error and providing the patient with correct and coherent information. Adopting good radiological practices, scrupulous review of procedures and efficiency of the instruments used and audit of organisational and management processes are all factors that can help reduce the likelihood of error. Improving communication techniques while safeguarding the patient's right to autonomy also implies adopting clear and rigorous processes for obtaining the patient's informed consent to the medical procedure.